World of Color Superthread

[bgsnmky]

Did you read the first post in this thread? These questions are all answered there.

HydorGuy..I did, but disneyland 1951 hit it when the thing that was confusing is prefered vs reserved. I wasn't sure what the difference was.

Thanks

 

[helenb]

This is an updated map Disneyland1951 posted for July 1st. You will see that

Thank you so much! It looks to me (perhaps I'm wrong?) that the PD section has less space now, but more rail? In any case, I'm still planning on getting there early.

Why is PD getting so small? Are most people not bothering with that package anymore?

 

[skiingfast]

Thank you so much! It looks to me (perhaps I'm wrong?) that the PD section has less space now, but more rail? In any case, I'm still planning on getting there early.

Why is PD getting so small? Are most people not bothering with that package anymore?

It may not seem like it but I think getting less space and more rail is a fare trade. Not many people stood in the circle anyway.

I'd guess your right, as more people had a chance to see the show and frenzy cooled off, less people are doing the PD package anymore.

 

[TLPL]

So does it worth it to pay for the PD? How much wait time can you save with the FD tickets?

 

[skiingfast]

So does it worth it to pay for the PD? How much wait time can you save with the FD tickets?

To get a WoC Show Pass requires you to be in the park before they are all distributed. That would usually be between noon and evening. It only takes 5-10 minutes to get the Show Passes from the FP distribution area at GRR.

Other than that the PD tickets gives you access to a good point of view. You can see it in the map above, the dashed line show the center line of the show. It also comes with dinner, if you are otherwise going to do a sit down meal in the parks it's going to cost in the $30-$35 neighborhood.


So a PD saves 5-10 minutes during the day and cost $5-$10 more than a similiar meal. After that you still have to show up, I suggest 15 minutes before the return time for any color zone, and get a spot along the rail for the best view. That last sentence applies to all ticketed viewing.

 

[TLPL]

So.......do you thinl it worth it???

 

[JeriLee]

My questions is about the area marked as “Best” in the blue section. How does one access this spot? Do you have to go through the H section or is there a separate entrance?

So.......do you think it worth it???

I'm assuming this question is asking if the PD is worth it? I'll give my 2 cents. I've done the PD twice at Ariel's Grotto. We *loved* the food and sitting on the Patio for an early dinner (5:30-6:00). Having the PD did not save us any time as we lined up just as early as we would for any other spot. But, we were rewarded with one of the BEST viewing spots available. So, if you have $$ earmarked for a good dinner, IMO, this is worth it.

 

[AndyR]

So.......do you thinl it worth it???

For us, yes.

We've done the PD 3 times and plain 'ole Blue (Hydrant) twice. All of these were for the 10:15PM show. Our last viewing was middle of June.

With the PD, as we didn't want railing viewing, we headed to the PD section with about 30 mins to show time. Twice we stood at the top of the stairs, once the place was so empty we had almost the entire 'circle' to ourselves. So for us it was worth it (a) for the unrushed dinner and (b) no waiting in line.

For the non PD times, we deliberately waited until 15 mins to show time and just stood by the hydrant.

As Hydroguy says, you get a different show from the various locations.

Next time, we're going to head for the new Yellow, close to show center, but as far back as possible.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

My questions is about the area marked as “Best” in the blue section. How does one access this spot? Do you have to go through the H section or is there a separate entrance?

So.......do you think it worth it???

I'm assuming this question is asking if the PD is worth it? I'll give my 2 cents. I've done the PD twice at Ariel's Grotto. We *loved* the food and sitting on the Patio for an early dinner (5:30-6:00). Having the PD did not save us any time as we lined up just as early as we would for any other spot. But, we were rewarded with one of the BEST viewing spots available. So, if you have $$ earmarked for a good dinner, IMO, this is worth it.

My Favorite Spot...
I marked this spot BEST in the BLUE section because it is my favorite. It is halfway back between the front of the PD dining and the VIP sections. It is raised higher than most sections, so there is nobody blocking your view. You can get as many BLUE fastpass as you need for FREE at 9:30 am, and it only takes 10-15 minutes of one persons time. I can be inside Disneyland at 9:20, parkhop to CA, get WOC Fastpasses and return to DL in less than 20 minutes. [The front and center of the PD, Perferred Dining, gets you closer to the front and your view is not blocked by the two light towers.] This is the exact spot that TDL used when they programed the show. It is at the exact center of the show, it is not as crowded, back a little ways which makes the water screens look sharper. To get to it, you now need to walk behind the H (Handicapped) section, this makes it easier to get to because there is usually a cast member at the H section that most avoid, but you can just walk behind to MY BEST Spot.

Many other good spots...
The front of the PD section is the favorite of most, but costs $40 and you have to be one of the first to arrive. Now in the PD if you are not at the very front it is better to stand at the rail where you see the end of the arrow. the rail off center is aimed towards Arials Grotto and away from the show. I also like the lower WET zones at the center, which are a lot of fun. The small yellow circle was my "Secret Spot" (Yellow Hydrant) which would allow you to arrive late and see the whole show at the rail without people blocking your view, and be the first to leave saving 10-15 minutes after the show. The top of the stairs or at the rail at the back of BLUE, the rail on the Bridge (BLUE) are also good. Also, where YELLOW is labeled is good, but you need to arrive very early to get it.

Choose your spot and get there early......

 

[JeriLee]

Thank-you Disneyland 1951!

I did the PD (belly to the rail – first to enter) twice and loved it. My third time was Blue from the bridge. IMO, the bridge gave a better overall view of the entire show, but lacked the clarity of the images we had in the PD area. So, I think the blue area you marked as Best or your secret FH spot, will be the next area I try. Perhaps these will give me both the clarity of the PD section as well as the wider overall view.

 

[HydroGuy]

UPDATES FROM JULY 1, 2011

These are the changes from the July 1, performance of the 4th of July Pre-show. There are quite a few changes, improvements for most people (BLUE or Non-Fastpass holders), and very bad for the Preferred Dining Fastpass holders that do not arrive very early.

PREFERRED DINING Area was again reduced by eliminating the Upper Stairs to Yellow and Blue, and the Flat round Fountain and area behind the lamps were changed to YELLOW ??? The Preferred Dining area was oversold and anyone arriving later than 45 minutes before the show, had a spot worse than many of the Free Fastpass areas. This will make late arriving PD ($40) less than happy. It may be that they are selling fewer PD meals.
BLUE The Entrance was moved from in front of the Mermaid entrance towards the bridge. The Lower areas became PD, the old entrance became an early exit. The upper areas towards the center are easy to get to if you line up early (25 min before the earliest time listed).
YELLOW Is greatly expanded to include the flat area and the area behind two lights that was a bad spot for PD. Just past it towards the Bridge is about 10' of good viewing area!

NEW NON_FASTPASS STANDING They have added standing room in front of the Mermaid Ride and behind BLUE in front of the Red Tower. These are OK views, you will not see as much as if you are at the better Fastpass spots, and fill in 30-45 minutes before show time. A big improvement for those without Fastpasses.

Things that I believe are permanent are:
BLUE: The entrance change away from the Mermaid ride entrance.
PERFERRED DINING: Changing the upper stairs to BLUE and YELLOW.
NON-Fastpass Standing areas (Now that the walls in front of Mermaid are gone) there is room for this and between BLUE and the Red Tower, this makes sense, and adds a lot of OK viewing.

Things the Puzzle me?
Having YELLOW fill in the circular area that was PD allows a lot more people into this area. However, instead of having 60-80 uncrowded PD viewers they have 300 very crowded into the area, because this is flat when the show starts 20-30 kids go up on sholders blocking the view behind!

PERFERRED DINING: Now only the very front has an excellant view, and holds only 40-50 viewers! The areas that are were BLUE are not the best & late arriving Guests that paid a lot of money, are shortchanged.

CAST TRAINING
WOC is one of the last places you would want to work, therefore it is mostly new less skilled Cast members. They are nice, but often have conflicting instructions and incomplete training. (Using Blue Fashlights to guide you to YELLOW, allowing Non-Handicapped to fill up the benches early, allowing kids on sholders, etc.) They allow nearly anyone to switch to another area. Since they take your colored pass when you enter, they have to depend on the honesty of the Guests (Bad Idea). This is especially bad in PD and Handicapped areas.

I don't know everything but observe a lot...
There are other items I did not mention because they are minor or I could not verify__
Eg: For the 2nd show they were having people with RED Fastpasses enter the Redwood Creek trail --- Is there an exit to the gates between the corndogs and Mermaid ride?

Does DL 1951 or anyone have any updates on whether these changes have become more permanent afte July 4th?

 

[merrrydeath]

Any confirmation that Picnic meals ONLY get Yellow FPs now? Picnic meals worked really well for me last time, but I would only buy them if I could get blue.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

Does DL 1951 or anyone have any updates on whether these changes have become more permanent afte July 4th?

I am amazed how often they change WOC viewing.......

1) HANDICAPPED They have eliminated Handicapped areas within the viewing areas. All HC sections are moved to the back. You are still required to have BOTH a WOC Fastpass for that color section & a GAP. I checked with several castmembers and walked through all sections to be sure. The Company line is that "Everyone" has access to all the spots within their color section. But, only those with a GAP are allowed to the HC areas at the back! The areas at the back are pretty large and are about 12 'deep. These are marked as "Restricted" and were not full.

2) BLUE Section Entrance They used both the old entrance and the new 2nd entrance.

3) Oversold BLUE At 15 minutes before show time they stopped letting people with a BLUE fastpass into the BLUE Section. There was no more room. Disney will probably adjust this. Anyone with a BLUE Fastpass arriving late was sent to Yellow which was not quite full, but no good spots were available???

4) New BLUE Handicapped Behind the section towards Arials the had a 20' square section roped off with "restricted" flags with a very poor view!!!

5) Preferred Dining Is still the reduced size shown.

6) 2nd Show Waiting One houre before the 2nd show most BLUE and YELLOW waiting areas were nearly full.

OVERALL: They have greatly increased the amount of viewing area, especially with the Non-Fastpass areas. You can show up 20 minutes before the 1st show and get a reasonable view in the Non-Fastpass areas.

Any confirmation that Picnic meals ONLY get Yellow FPs now? Picnic meals worked really well for me last time, but I would only buy them if I could get blue.

Above is a BLUE Picnic Fastpass from last night. They still have BLUE Picnic Fastpasses. The only change is that they are labeled "Viewing Ticket" This is so that they can use the same Fastpass for both WOC Picnic and WOC Lunch.

JACK

 

[HydroGuy]

I am amazed how often they change WOC viewing.......

1) HANDICAPPED They have eliminated Handicapped areas within the viewing areas. All HC sections are moved to the back. You are still required to have BOTH a WOC Fastpass for that color section & a GAP. I checked with several castmembers and walked through all sections to be sure. The Company line is that "Everyone" has access to all the spots within their color section. But, only those with a GAP are allowed to the HC areas at the back! The areas at the back are pretty large and are about 12 'deep. These are marked as "Restricted" and were not full.

2) BLUE Section Entrance They used both the old entrance and the new 2nd entrance.

3) Oversold BLUE At 15 minutes before show time they stopped letting people with a BLUE fastpass into the BLUE Section. There was no more room. Disney will probably adjust this. Anyone with a BLUE Fastpass arriving late was sent to Yellow which was not quite full, but no good spots were available???

4) New BLUE Handicapped Behind the section towards Arials the had a 20' square section roped off with "restricted" flags with a very poor view!!!

5) Preferred Dining Is still the reduced size shown.

6) 2nd Show Waiting One houre before the 2nd show most BLUE and YELLOW waiting areas were nearly full.

OVERALL: They have greatly increased the amount of viewing area, especially with the Non-Fastpass areas. You can show up 20 minutes before the 1st show and get a reasonable view in the Non-Fastpass areas.

Above is a BLUE Picnic Fastpass from last night. They still have BLUE Picnic Fastpasses. The only change is that they are labeled "Viewing Ticket" This is so that they can use the same Fastpass for both WOC Picnic and WOC Lunch.

JACK

Thanks for the updates! It sounds like things are still in a state of flux...

 

[MyMuse]

I just want to say thank you for this thread and the fab up-to-date information from HydroGuy and Disneyland 1951 and others who contributed.

I am going on my first trip in August, then heading off to the Expo. I didn't buy a package, but hopefully, I will have a good strategy for viewing WoC come the middle of August!

 

[helenb]

Disneyland 1951, I know that the PD area has been reduced in size (but with more rail space, yay!). Can you tell me how crowded it was in those areas? Were people there an hour before the show?

 

[Disneyland 1951]

Disneyland 1951, I know that the PD area has been reduced in size (but with more rail space, yay!). Can you tell me how crowded it was in those areas? Were people there an hour before the show?

I did not arrive until 8:25, but the best spots at the front rail were full. I did not check out the other areas of PD, but only a few arrived at PD in the last 20 minutes. Usually there are more late PD arrivals.

Get There Early......

NOTE: TLMAUA (Ltl Mermaid Ride) was a walk on... NO Line at all.

 

[merrrydeath]

Above is a BLUE Picnic Fastpass from last night. They still have BLUE Picnic Fastpasses. The only change is that they are labeled "Viewing Ticket" This is so that they can use the same Fastpass for both WOC Picnic and WOC Lunch.

Good to know! Thank you for the quick response. Do those HC areas in the back have any effect on the fire hydrant spot?

 

[helenb]

I did not arrive until 8:25, but the best spots at the front rail were full. I did not check out the other areas of PD, but only a few arrived at PD in the last 20 minutes. Usually there are more late PD arrivals.

Get There Early......

Thanks! Getting there early was my plan, but I'l be with two Disney newbies that don't want to wait more than 30 minutes for *anything*. Sigh... it's difficult trying to explain to them...

So it sounds like the rails will be full, but the rest of the area not so much.

 

[TLPL]

Thanks! Getting there early was my plan, but I'l be with two Disney newbies that don't want to wait more than 30 minutes for *anything*. Sigh... it's difficult trying to explain to them...

So it sounds like the rails will be full, but the rest of the area not so much.

That's my problem too! My better half hate waiting. that's why I am considering PD. But sounds like we still have to get there early even with that.